I received our FET (frozen embryo transfer) calendar from Nicole this week! I can't believe that we're almost into December - where has this year gone?! From the looks of the calendar, our FET will be on Thursday, January 10th.
For the time being, my daily routine consists of taking a prenatal multi-vitamin, an extra vitamin D pill, a birth control pill, and a baby aspirin. Sunday I will start taking Metronidazole (antibiotic) twice a day. So for now I'm just a pill popper until I start the Lupron injections.
I managed to get my buns to the gym twice this week... I consider this a pretty big accomplishment! I went on Monday and today. I strolled out of bed by 4:00ish am to get ready to head to town by 4:30 - 4:45 ish. I'm starting out slow by just doing a little walking on the treadmill. Think I'll stick to this routine for a little while until I can work up to doing something else! Both times I walked, my legs felt like jello when I stepped of the treadmill to get ready for work!
I am looking forward to the holiday's and attending more women's basketball games as I know this will keep me busy! I also have a really busy next week at work!
Until next time, I'll be poppin' pills... what will you be doing? :)
Love you,
ALJ
Friday, November 30, 2012
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Third Times a Charm
Hello all,
Saturday officially started our third times a charm attempt. I'll have to contact Nicole at the clinic for our official calendar. As always I am looking forward to getting my calendar. I feel so much better when I have a plan of attack and know what is coming ahead.
I was having an internal battle with myself... My heart wanted to kick start this cycle with the progesterone pills and get things going, but something inside me said to just have patience and wait. I think I finally have an understanding of the patience thing... I'm ready to just let things flow and happen as they will. I am sure part of feeling this way is because I've been through just about everything once before, but I also am ready to just slow down and let things happen.
I am also having another battle with myself... I am at an all time high in the weight category! The past year has taken a mighty toll on my weight! I have been slightly less motivated to move in general... whether that be to go outside and pull the weeds in the flower beds, get things done around the house, and go out to do errands. I signed up for a membership to use the gym at work. The monthly rates are really cheap compared to most gyms around the DSM area. The facilities are nice and I am planning on using the gym before work. I think that the gym will be fairly less occupied that early in the morning and I'll look less like a fool as I get started! This girl is out of shape - yikes!
Hope you all enjoyed a wonderful thanksgiving with your families! I am very very thankful for the friends and family who have supported and those that continue to support us on our journey.
Love,
ALJ
Saturday officially started our third times a charm attempt. I'll have to contact Nicole at the clinic for our official calendar. As always I am looking forward to getting my calendar. I feel so much better when I have a plan of attack and know what is coming ahead.
I was having an internal battle with myself... My heart wanted to kick start this cycle with the progesterone pills and get things going, but something inside me said to just have patience and wait. I think I finally have an understanding of the patience thing... I'm ready to just let things flow and happen as they will. I am sure part of feeling this way is because I've been through just about everything once before, but I also am ready to just slow down and let things happen.
I am also having another battle with myself... I am at an all time high in the weight category! The past year has taken a mighty toll on my weight! I have been slightly less motivated to move in general... whether that be to go outside and pull the weeds in the flower beds, get things done around the house, and go out to do errands. I signed up for a membership to use the gym at work. The monthly rates are really cheap compared to most gyms around the DSM area. The facilities are nice and I am planning on using the gym before work. I think that the gym will be fairly less occupied that early in the morning and I'll look less like a fool as I get started! This girl is out of shape - yikes!
Hope you all enjoyed a wonderful thanksgiving with your families! I am very very thankful for the friends and family who have supported and those that continue to support us on our journey.
Love,
ALJ
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Three steps forward... one HUGE step backwards.
I'm not even sure where to start... but I guess I'll give 'er a shot by starting where I left you all in my last post. At our second ultrasound 10/15 @ 11:40, the nurse didn't have good news. Baby J didn't show any growth nor show signs of a beating heart. While we knew that the doctor was concerned about the previous ultrasound and the low heart beat, we still had hope for the best. October 15th... the day that the nurse told C & I that our Baby J was gone... at approximately 7 weeks old. October 15th... is also the official date of Pregnancy and Infancy Loss Remembrance Day.
I had no signs or symptoms of a miscarriage at all... Dr. Young gave us the option to wait for a natural miscarriage or go forward with a D&C (Dilation & Curettage). After hearing the news from the nurse and discussing things with Dr. Young, I knew that I couldn't go back to work. I came home and that afternoon C and I took a ride in the truck with piglet (aka Max) and talked about our options. I called Dr. Young on Tuesday morning to let him know that I had decided to go ahead with the D&C procedure. For my own mental stability and emotional state, I knew that I couldn't sit around and wonder when things would naturally take their toll. Wednesday afternoon I was scheduled for my surgery. Things went as well as they could for that situation and I didn't experience much pain from the procedure.
Almost 4 weeks have passed and every day has been a challenge. I feel like I've been through all 5 stages of grief... and some days I pass through all of them... and other days I revert back to the beginning. One of the hardest things to do is to wake up every day and go into work, be out in public places, etc. and pretend that everything is okay. I think the biggest thing at the moment that has me hung up, is trying how to physically remember our Baby J.
Last Monday 11/5, C & I met with Dr. Young for a follow up / a where to go from here appointment. We still have 3 frozen embryos and 5 frozen eggs to work with. Next step is to wait for my cycle to start. After that will be the same thing as last time: birth control pills, Lupron shots, estrogen patches, progesterone shots and then the frozen transfer. Looks like the transfer will be around the first of the year if not shortly after that if things go well.
I for one am hoping for 3rd times a charm... guess we'll see...
Uuntil next time,
ALJ
I had no signs or symptoms of a miscarriage at all... Dr. Young gave us the option to wait for a natural miscarriage or go forward with a D&C (Dilation & Curettage). After hearing the news from the nurse and discussing things with Dr. Young, I knew that I couldn't go back to work. I came home and that afternoon C and I took a ride in the truck with piglet (aka Max) and talked about our options. I called Dr. Young on Tuesday morning to let him know that I had decided to go ahead with the D&C procedure. For my own mental stability and emotional state, I knew that I couldn't sit around and wonder when things would naturally take their toll. Wednesday afternoon I was scheduled for my surgery. Things went as well as they could for that situation and I didn't experience much pain from the procedure.
Almost 4 weeks have passed and every day has been a challenge. I feel like I've been through all 5 stages of grief... and some days I pass through all of them... and other days I revert back to the beginning. One of the hardest things to do is to wake up every day and go into work, be out in public places, etc. and pretend that everything is okay. I think the biggest thing at the moment that has me hung up, is trying how to physically remember our Baby J.
Last Monday 11/5, C & I met with Dr. Young for a follow up / a where to go from here appointment. We still have 3 frozen embryos and 5 frozen eggs to work with. Next step is to wait for my cycle to start. After that will be the same thing as last time: birth control pills, Lupron shots, estrogen patches, progesterone shots and then the frozen transfer. Looks like the transfer will be around the first of the year if not shortly after that if things go well.
I for one am hoping for 3rd times a charm... guess we'll see...
Uuntil next time,
ALJ
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Baby J!
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| 6 weeks 1 day (plus or minus 4 days) - Showing how BIG baby J is... |
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| Showing the heart rate @ 53 beats per minute |
Corey and I took a little trip to Canada this past week. This vacation away from work and home was much needed for the both of us! We averaged at least two, if not over two naps per day. Pretty much a relaxing and stress free week. The fishing and weather were not the best, but we still were able to enjoy our time away!
Excited for tomorrow...tomorrow's appointment... not really my return to work !
ALJ
Saturday, September 22, 2012
BFP!
BFP! BFP! BIG FAT POSITIVE!!!
I had my initial blood draw on Tuesday. I told the nurse that drew my blood to not have anyone contact me until after 4pm Tuesday afternoon. I had an all day teleconference, and a meeting at the plant from 2:45 - 3:45. I knew that either way the results were going to cause me to be an emotional wreck and I didn't want to show any emotions at work! By 3:45 as the meeting was ending I was nervous as ever! I was nervous all day long, but I knew that I'd get the results soon! I left work as soon as I could hoping that I would be home before the clinic called as I didn't really want to be driving to hear the news.
I got home a little after 4 and tried to watch Ellen to keep me entertained until I got the call. At 4:45, I couldn't take the wait any longer! I called the clinic, of course none of the nurses answered, so I left a message for SOMEONE to call me back - btw the clinic closes at 5. At 4:50 I called my nurse Nicole and left her a message hoping she would call be back! Finally, at 4:55 I received a call from Dr. Young. He told me that my hCG level was in the 200's and I was indeed pregnant. Yessssssssssssssssssss!!! I was seriously ready to check myself into the ER for heart palpitations.... what was the doc thinking to wait until 4:55!
Thursday I went to the clinic for a follow up blood draw. Again, I received a phone call from Dr. Young. He said that my hCG level had doubled to 470ish range. This is a normal increase and everything looks good on paper! I was told to set up and ultrasound two weeks from Thursday. So, I now have an ultrasound on Oct. 4th - I can't wait!
Corey & I are beyond excited with the recent news! Obviously you've been included in our journey and exciting news if you've received my calls, texts, or have read this blog! We are happy to share the news with some really close family members and friends, but we are not quite ready to go out and scream the news to the world! When things get a little further along and a couple months from now we'll be ready to start telling more and more people - we just want things to continue to go well!
Next update around or after the ultrasound on the 4th!
Love much
Corey, Amber, Max & Baby J(s)
I had my initial blood draw on Tuesday. I told the nurse that drew my blood to not have anyone contact me until after 4pm Tuesday afternoon. I had an all day teleconference, and a meeting at the plant from 2:45 - 3:45. I knew that either way the results were going to cause me to be an emotional wreck and I didn't want to show any emotions at work! By 3:45 as the meeting was ending I was nervous as ever! I was nervous all day long, but I knew that I'd get the results soon! I left work as soon as I could hoping that I would be home before the clinic called as I didn't really want to be driving to hear the news.
I got home a little after 4 and tried to watch Ellen to keep me entertained until I got the call. At 4:45, I couldn't take the wait any longer! I called the clinic, of course none of the nurses answered, so I left a message for SOMEONE to call me back - btw the clinic closes at 5. At 4:50 I called my nurse Nicole and left her a message hoping she would call be back! Finally, at 4:55 I received a call from Dr. Young. He told me that my hCG level was in the 200's and I was indeed pregnant. Yessssssssssssssssssss!!! I was seriously ready to check myself into the ER for heart palpitations.... what was the doc thinking to wait until 4:55!
Thursday I went to the clinic for a follow up blood draw. Again, I received a phone call from Dr. Young. He said that my hCG level had doubled to 470ish range. This is a normal increase and everything looks good on paper! I was told to set up and ultrasound two weeks from Thursday. So, I now have an ultrasound on Oct. 4th - I can't wait!
Corey & I are beyond excited with the recent news! Obviously you've been included in our journey and exciting news if you've received my calls, texts, or have read this blog! We are happy to share the news with some really close family members and friends, but we are not quite ready to go out and scream the news to the world! When things get a little further along and a couple months from now we'll be ready to start telling more and more people - we just want things to continue to go well!
Next update around or after the ultrasound on the 4th!
Love much
Corey, Amber, Max & Baby J(s)
Friday, September 7, 2012
Transferred Twice!
There is a double meaning in this post! We officially completed our 2nd embryo transfer - the frozen embryo transfer on Thursday. We also transferred two embryos. Everything seemed to go pretty well and we were in and out of the clinic in a little under an hour. We still have three frozen embryos in case things don't work out.
I scheduled my blood test for the 18th - 12 days after the transfer. I could do a home test, but similar to the first attempt, I don't believe I can bring myself to do so. Here's to hoping that this next week at work flies, the weekend will bring a fun tailgate with friends at the ISU vs. Western Illinois football game, and then two more working days before I can find out how things went this time! I know that work will be easier to go back to and next week will be better as one of my bosses called me the morning before the transfer tell tell me that they finally approved my much needed raise. I am not sure when the raise will take into effect, but again this will make going to work a whole heck of a lot easier and give me motivation to keep up the good work!
I have been lounging around the last two days, per doctor's orders... so, I am looking forward to being a little more mobile tomorrow! Hoping that I can get somewhere to watch the "big" game - GO STATE!
Here's to enjoying the next 11 days and here's to hopefully hearing some good news!
Until next time,
ALJ
I scheduled my blood test for the 18th - 12 days after the transfer. I could do a home test, but similar to the first attempt, I don't believe I can bring myself to do so. Here's to hoping that this next week at work flies, the weekend will bring a fun tailgate with friends at the ISU vs. Western Illinois football game, and then two more working days before I can find out how things went this time! I know that work will be easier to go back to and next week will be better as one of my bosses called me the morning before the transfer tell tell me that they finally approved my much needed raise. I am not sure when the raise will take into effect, but again this will make going to work a whole heck of a lot easier and give me motivation to keep up the good work!
I have been lounging around the last two days, per doctor's orders... so, I am looking forward to being a little more mobile tomorrow! Hoping that I can get somewhere to watch the "big" game - GO STATE!
Lil' Piglet - aka Max - snoozing with me while I "lounged"
Here's to enjoying the next 11 days and here's to hopefully hearing some good news!
Until next time,
ALJ
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Awkward Turtle!
I had my appointment today! Pretty excited / nervous for this appointment, but all went well! I had some blood drawn and then an ultrasound. The ultrasound was to check the thickness of my lining. The nurse said everything looked great and we're all set for our 1pm transfer next Thursday! I was relieved to hear that things would be moving forward on the day that the calendar originally stated... less than a week!
Now onto the title of this post! I had to have Corey meet me at the clinic to sign the frozen embryo consent form - legal stuff. We had to sign the sheet in front of a notary aka the front desk lady. Somewhat of a wasted trip for him, but I promised that I would take him out for lunch! We went practically next door to El Rodeo a Mexican restaurant. In less than 10 minutes after we were seated, they sat down a few staff members from the clinic at a table right behind me! So out of the 6 people sitting at this table, 1 of them was an outcast as I know he doesn't work at the clinic but the other 3/5 have seen my goodies and the other 2 have vampired my arm for blood... as the post says... this was a little bit of an awkward turtle. Not knowing what the proper protocol was for this situation, I didn't make eye contact and smiled as we got up to leave - didn't want to seem like a total wench...
I've been trying to find things to keep my preoccupied to not think about the upcoming events, that I went ahead and caved in... and bought the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy. I was mildly thinking that this would give me something to do while I'm supposed to be lounging next Thursday and Friday. I found that lounging while you're not really sick is a hard thing as so many things and ideas run through your head - what could I be doing while I'm at home and not at that thing called work... hrm... Back to the books, so I bought them via Itunes and started reading them on Tuesday evening. I just finished the first book tonight... I'm not sure that I'll have anything left to read by next week and I can't seem to stop reading! I really want to know what is going to happen next and I am having a hard time putting the "book" down! Last night I had to quit as my phone battery was drained - HAH!
Before the excitement on Thursday, I have to get through the dreaded progesterone shots. The intramuscular shots in my "butt" region are not very much fun, contrary to popular belief! I start the shots on Saturday evening.
Hope you enjoy your long weekend! I'll be enjoying a long weekend, a 2 day work week, and another long weekend! Just as I told Corey tonight... I'm High!! I'm high on life that is...
Until next time,
Love,
ALJ
Now onto the title of this post! I had to have Corey meet me at the clinic to sign the frozen embryo consent form - legal stuff. We had to sign the sheet in front of a notary aka the front desk lady. Somewhat of a wasted trip for him, but I promised that I would take him out for lunch! We went practically next door to El Rodeo a Mexican restaurant. In less than 10 minutes after we were seated, they sat down a few staff members from the clinic at a table right behind me! So out of the 6 people sitting at this table, 1 of them was an outcast as I know he doesn't work at the clinic but the other 3/5 have seen my goodies and the other 2 have vampired my arm for blood... as the post says... this was a little bit of an awkward turtle. Not knowing what the proper protocol was for this situation, I didn't make eye contact and smiled as we got up to leave - didn't want to seem like a total wench...
I've been trying to find things to keep my preoccupied to not think about the upcoming events, that I went ahead and caved in... and bought the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy. I was mildly thinking that this would give me something to do while I'm supposed to be lounging next Thursday and Friday. I found that lounging while you're not really sick is a hard thing as so many things and ideas run through your head - what could I be doing while I'm at home and not at that thing called work... hrm... Back to the books, so I bought them via Itunes and started reading them on Tuesday evening. I just finished the first book tonight... I'm not sure that I'll have anything left to read by next week and I can't seem to stop reading! I really want to know what is going to happen next and I am having a hard time putting the "book" down! Last night I had to quit as my phone battery was drained - HAH!
Before the excitement on Thursday, I have to get through the dreaded progesterone shots. The intramuscular shots in my "butt" region are not very much fun, contrary to popular belief! I start the shots on Saturday evening.
Hope you enjoy your long weekend! I'll be enjoying a long weekend, a 2 day work week, and another long weekend! Just as I told Corey tonight... I'm High!! I'm high on life that is...
Until next time,
Love,
ALJ
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